Heat pump vs stand alone AC unit

donedeal

Looking to add AC to our main living floor. The upstairs has a heat pump with ducts and the basement has a heat pump unit on the wall, nothing for the living floor. Both of those are connected to a single outdoor unit. Due to the type of Windows (crank out) we cannot use a window box unit to sipplement. Which would be more efficient in operation (I know the Heat pump route would be about $800 more for install) : another heat pump at 12k btu vs stand alone AC 12k btu we can rig to go out the window? Would I ever recoup those install costs if the heat pump is truely more efficient? I also got a quote to move the basement 9k btu heat pump to living area for a grand which seemed high but also an option and slightly under powered for the space.

njtommy

Are you looking at ductless splits?
What do you have for heat now on the first floor?

donedeal

Heat is all hydroponic radiant throughout. The pump would not be needed for heat. I have a Daiken unit in the basement I could have installed upstairs.

njtommy

I can't see it being that much of an upgrade for a heat pump ductless do to most mini split manufacturers are stopping making the AC only units and are making everything heatpumps.

Having back up heat is never a bad idea.